New York -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A city official married the first couple in New York City to wed under the state 's new law allowing same-sex marriage Sunday .

Phyllis Siegal , 76 , and Connie Kopelov , 84 , were married in a chapel at the city clerk 's office as a crowd of onlookers cheered .

The two , of New York , have been together for 23 years . Kopelov left the clerk 's office in a wheelchair , but used a walker to approach reporters .

`` Your cheers are wonderful , '' Siegal told well-wishers outside the office .

She told reporters the experience was `` just so amazing . It 's the only way I can describe it . ''

Hundreds of same-sex couples heard the news Friday that they made the cut in the marriage lottery that New York state instituted for Sunday , the day that the state 's Marriage Equality Act took effect .

`` These are two independent people who are joining together because they can see and they can feel how much better their lives will be , '' city clerk Michael McSweeney said as he married Siegal and Kopelov . `` We are grateful that they are allowing us to share this truly momentous ceremony with them . ''

The New York City clerk 's office has been flooded with more than 2,600 requests for marriage licenses since the wording on the online application was changed from `` Groom and Bride '' to `` Spouse A and Spouse B. ''

The office could handle less than a third of those requests -- gay or straight -- on Sunday , according to a press statement the city released earlier in the week . The lottery was set up to allocate 764 slots for couples who want to obtain marriage licenses and/or be married at city clerk 's offices on Sunday .

Buffalo residents Kitty Lambert and Cheryle Rudd claim to be the first couple married in the state . The two exchanged vows at 12:01 a.m. Sunday in Niagara Falls , according to CNN affiliate WGRZ .

Couples began lining up outside the clerk 's office in New York City before the ceremonies began Sunday . Some women wore wedding gowns , while some men wore suits or tuxedos .

If all 764 weddings actually take place on Sunday , it will set a one-day record for the city .

`` Marriage equality is alive and well in every borough of New York City right now , '' said Christine Quinn , speaker of the New York City Council , who is also gay . She said watching the weddings `` sent a chill up my spine . ''

Marcos Chaljub and Freddy Zambrano were married after Siegal and Kopelov . The two tearfully said their vows as friends hovered and snapped pictures . `` You 're married ! '' one declared as celebratory hugs were exchanged afterward .

Chaljub and Zambrano conducted last-minute preparations Saturday for their wedding , picking up bouquets of wildflowers for their bridesmaids and champagne for a family brunch afterward . The couple has been together for five years .

`` I have certain people in my life , they 're not totally OK with it , but they accept it , and just the fact they respect us because of that , it 's really the most that I can ask for , '' Chaljub told CNN 's Susan Candiotti .

The two have been wearing rings for five years , and said they do n't plan to exchange new ones . `` We 're just going to polish them up and exchange them again , '' Chaljub said .

As with many weddings , there were some comical moments .

Chaljub momentarily forgot which finger to put Zambrano 's ring on . `` Is it this one ? '' he asked .

Asked whether he took Michael Elasser , 56 , as his spouse , 60-year-old Douglas Robinson responded , `` You bet your life I do ! '' The couple 's two adopted sons , ages 25 and 22 , attended the ceremony .

`` This is one of the great things about America , this diversity , '' Robinson said . `` I 'm so proud to be an American today , but I 'm particularly proud to be a New Yorker . ''

New York Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum of Beit Simchat Torah congregation , who has lobbied for legalizing same-sex marriage , set up a station for couples desiring a religious ceremony after the civil one .

New York legalized same-sex marriage in June . The Marriage Equality Act was a priority for Gov. Andrew Cuomo after winning election in November . The law was passed under a Republican-led Senate after days of delays and negotiations between the two parties .

Quinn announced that a drawing will take place Monday to award a honeymoon package to one newly-married couple in each borough . The package will include two nights in a Manhattan hotel ; dinners ; tickets to a museum , the Empire State Buidling , a Broadway show and Cirque du Soleil ; and Macy 's gift certificates .

However , opponents of the new law were planning to gather Sunday afternoon at rallies organized by the National Organization for Marriage in New York , Albany , Rochester and Buffalo . A handful of protesters were outside the city clerk 's office in Manhattan Sunday morning .

Quinn told CNN that New York is the place where the LGBT -LRB- lesbian , gay , bisexual , transgender -RRB- movement was born , and a place the world looks to .

`` All eyes are upon it , and I believe it is going to help propel this movement forward faster than any of the other states have , '' Quinn said .

Massachusetts , Connecticut , Iowa , Vermont and New Hampshire also allow same-sex marriage , as does the District of Columbia .

CNN 's Jesse Solomon and Steve Kastenbaum contributed to this report .

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NEW : Opponents of the new law will hold rallies in several cities

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NEW : Buffalo residents claim to be the first couple married in the state

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City council speaker : `` All eyes are upon '' New York

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Phyllis Siegal , 76 , and Connie Kopelov , 84 , are the first couple in NYC to wed